THE RESISTANCE BREEDING FOR IMI AND SU HERBICIDES FOR WEED AND

BROOMRAPE PARASITE CONTROL IN SUNFLOWER PRODUCTION

Goksel Evci1, Veli Pekcan1, M. Ibrahim Yilmaz1, Yalcin Kaya1
Trakya Agricultural Research Institute, PO Box: 16, 22100 Edirne, TURKEY,
Phone: +90 284 2358182, Fax:+90 284 2358210, e-mail: yalcinkaya@ttae.gov.tr

ABSTRACT
Weed control and broomrape (Orobanche cernua Loeffl.) are the main problems in sunflower
production in Turkey. CLEARFIELD System has been used successfully by farmers since 2003
and Imidazolinone (IMI) resistant hybrids reached about 25% of sunflower planting areas. On the
other hand, sunflower hybrids resistant to Sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides are also used widely
especially non broomrape problem areas in the world. Sunflower inbred lines resistant to IMI and
SU herbicides were obtained utilizing mostly backcrossing method and inbreeding methods in
breeding nursery of National Sunflower Project conducted by Trakya Agricultural Research
Institute (TARI), Edirne, Turkey. Many sunflower IMI and SU hybrids developed and tested in
regional trials in recent years and the hybrids exhibited higher yield performance was selected.
Key Words: Sunflower, Broomrape, Weed Control, IMI and SU Herbicide Resistance,
INTRODUCTION
Sunflower is growing mainly (75%) in Trakya Region which is European part of Turkey. The
80% of region is infested by new virulent races of broomrape. CLEARFIELD system is commonly
in this region due to efficient control both broomrape and key weeds in sunflower (Malidza et al.,
2003; Kaya et al., 2004). While SU resistance control by one dominant gene, IMI resistance control
by two genes with additive gene effects but both side dominant in the parents increase resistance
level to herbicide. Mostly USDA IMI genes which transferred to cultural one utilizing backcrossing
are using commonly in sunflower programs in the world (Bruniard and Miller, 2001). On the other
hand, SU herbicide resistant hybrids also developed in TARI program but they are not preferred by
farmers due to less efficient control over broomrape and also key weeds such as Xanthium, Cirsium,
etc. in sunflower production. Research was covered of breeding works to develop IMI and SU type
inbred lines and hybrids in National Sunflower Project in Edirne, Turkey in between 2004-2011.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The research was conducted in TARI fields between 2004 and 2011 to develop IMI and SU
inbred lines and hybrids. After getting the IMI and SU herbicide resistant public lines from USDA
in 2003 and they were multiplied in first year (Al-Khatib and Miller, 2000; Miller and Al-Khatib,
2004). Then, they started to cross institute lines firstly to convert them as IMI and SU resistant ones
in 2004. Sunflower has about 120-150 days growing season normally. Therefore, in summer season,
plants were planted in April and harvested at September in each year. In winter seasons, plants were
planted in October in growth chamber and harvested in January. IMI herbicides (Imazamox +
Imazapyr (33+15 g/l)) and SU herbicide (Chlorsulfuron 75%) in both programs with double dose
applied at 6-8 leaves stage in the research to abstain any problem in sunflower production.
Phytotoxicity observations performed at first and 2nd week after application each breeding stage.
Broomrape resistant and IMI and SU resistant hybrids were existed as control in the research.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The breeding process altered in growth chamber at winter and institute fields at summer to get
two generations per year. Breeding studies of IMI and SU inbred lines were given Figure 1-4.

THE BREEDING OF IMI RESTORER LINES

BREEDING CYCLES
2004 SUMMER

2004 WINTER

rr
R

X
F1
%50

IMI-R

RR

Rr
SELFING UNDER THE BAGS

F2

2005 SUMMER

2005 WINTER

%75

F3

RR + Rr + rr

IMI HERBICIDE APPLICATION

AT 6 LEAF STAGE

RR

IMI HERBICIDE APPLICATION

AT 6 LEAF STAGE
RESISTANT ONES SELECTED

%87.5

F4
2006 SUMMER

GENERATING TEST HYBRIDS

WITH RESISTANT ONES

RR

%93.8

F5
2007 SUMMER
%96.9

TEST HYBRID OBSERVATIONS

SELFING

consisting dominant restorer gene or not.

GENERATING NEW TEST HYBRIDS

The test hybrids in yield trials

F6
2008 SUMMER

2009 SUMMER

%98.5

F7

Test hybrids for GCA

SELFING

IMI herbicide with double dose

the phytotoxity observations

GENERATING NEW TEST

HYBRIDS
Test hybrids for GCA
SELFING

%99,3

The test hybrids in yield trials

IMI herbicide with double dose

the phytotoxity observations
GENERATING NEW HYBRIDS

2010 SUMMER

F8
%99,7

2011 SUMMER

F9
%99,9

Test hybrids for

SCA
Seed Increasing

PRELIMINARY YIELD
TRIALS

FINISHED REGIONAL YIELD TRIALS

RESTORER
MALE LINES
REGISTRATIONS

Figure 1: The developing scheme of IMI resistant inbred male lines and hybrids in sunflower

THE BREEDING IMI FEMALE CMS AND B LINES

BREEDING CYCLES
2004 SUMMER

rr
B

F1*

2004 WINTER

F2
%75

CMS

RR

Rr

%50

2005 SUMMER

2005 WINTER

IMI-B

SELFING UNDER THE BAGS

IMI HERBICIDE APPLICATION

AT 6 LEAF STAGE

RR + Rr + rr
F3

IMI HERBICIDE APPLICATION

AT 6 LEAF STAGE B LINES

RR + Rr + rr

%87,5

BACKROSSING ANY CMS PLANT

2006 SUMMER

BCF1

F4

IMI HERBICIDE APPLICATION

AT 6 LEAF STAGE
RESISTANT ONES SELECTED

RR

%93.8

% 50,0

BACKROSSING CONTINUE TO CMS PLANT

BCF2
2007 WINTER

% 75,0

F5
%96.9

SELFING

GENERATING TEST HYBRIDS

BACKROSSING CONTINUE TO CMS PLANT

The test hybrids in yield trials

BCF3
2008 SUMMER

2009 SUMMER

% 87,5

%98.5

BCF4

F7

%99.7

% 93.8

2010 SUMMER

BCF5

% 96.9

2011 SUMMER

F6

BCF6
% 98.5

F8
%99,9

F9

Test hybrids for

GCA
SELFING +
BACKROSSING
Test hybrids for
GCA
SELFING +
BACKROSSING
Test hybrids for
SCA
Seed Increasing

FINISHED CMS +
MAINTANIER
%100,0
FEMALE LINES

IMI herbicide with double dose

the phytotoxity observations
GENERATING NEW TEST
HYBRIDS
The test hybrids in yield trials
IMI herbicide with double dose
the phytotoxity observations
GENERATING NEW HYBRIDS

PRELIMINARY YIELD
TRIALS

REGIONAL YIELD TRIALS

REGISTRATIONS

Figure 2: The developing scheme of IMI resistant inbred female lines and hybrids in sunflower

THE BREEDING OF SU RESISTANT RESTORER LINES

BREEDING CYCLES
2004 SUMMER

2004 WINTER

rr
R

X
F1
%50

SU-R

RR

F2
2005 SUMMER

2005 WINTER

%75

F3

SELFING UNDER THE BAGS

Rr

RR + Rr + rr

SELFING
SULFONYLY UREA HERBICIDE
APPLICATION AT 6 LEAF STAGE
SELFING
SU HERBICIDE APPLICATION
AT 6 LEAF STAGE

RR + Rr + rr

%87.5

F4
2006 SUMMER

SU HERBICIDE APPLICATION
AT 6 LEAF STAGE
RESISTANT ONES SELECTED
GENERATING TEST HYBRIDS

RR + Rr + rr

%93.8

F5
2007 SUMMER
%96.9

RR + Rr + rr
SELFING

TEST HYBRID OBSERVATIONS

consisting dominant restorer gene or not.

GENERATING NEW TEST HYBRIDS

The test hybrids in yield trials

F6
2008 SUMMER

2009 SUMMER

%98.5

F7

Test hybrids for GCA

SELFING

SU herbicide with double dose

the phytotoxity observations
GENERATING NEW TEST
HYBRIDS

Test hybrids for GCA

SELFING

%99,3

The test hybrids in yield trials

SU herbicide with double dose
the phytotoxity observations
GENERATING NEW HYBRIDS

2010 SUMMER

F8
%99,7

2011 SUMMER

F9
%99,9

Test hybrids for

SCA
Seed Increasing

PRELIMINARY YIELD
TRIALS

FINISHED REGIONAL YIELD TRIALS

RESTORER
REGISTRATIONS
MALE LINES

Figure 3: The developing scheme of SU resistant inbred male lines and hybrids in sunflower

THE BREEDING IMI FEMALE CMS AND B LINES

BREEDING CYCLES
2004 SUMMER

rr
B

F1*

2004 WINTER

F2
%75

CMS

RR

Rr

%50

2005 SUMMER

2005 WINTER

IMI-B

SELFING UNDER THE BAGS

SU HERBICIDE APPLICATION
AT 6 LEAF STAGE

RR + Rr + rr
F3

SU HERBICIDE APPLICATION
AT 6 LEAF STAGE B LINES

RR + Rr + rr

%87,5

BACKROSSING ANY CMS PLANT

2006 SUMMER

BCF1

F4

RR + Rr + rr

%93.8

% 50,0

SU HERBICIDE APPLICATION
AT 6 LEAF STAGE
RESISTANT ONES SELECTED

BACKROSSING CONTINUE TO CMS PLANT

BCF2
2007 WINTER

% 75,0

F5
%96.9

SELFING

GENERATING TEST HYBRIDS

BACKROSSING CONTINUE TO CMS PLANT
The test hybrids in yield trials

BCF3
2008 SUMMER

2009 SUMMER

% 87,5

%98.5

BCF4

F7

%99.7

% 93.8

2010 SUMMER

2011 SUMMER

F6

BCF5

F8

% 96.9

%99,9

BCF6

F9

% 98.5

Test hybrids for

GCA
SELFING +
BACKROSSING
Test hybrids for
GCA
SELFING +
BACKROSSING
Test hybrids for
SCA
Seed Increasing

FINISHED CMS +
MAINTANIER
%100,0
FEMALE LINES

SU herbicide with double dose

the phytotoxity observations
GENERATING NEW TEST
HYBRIDS
The test hybrids in yield trials
SU herbicide with double dose
the phytotoxity observations
GENERATING NEW HYBRIDS

PRELIMINARY YIELD
TRIALS

REGIONAL YIELD TRIALS

REGISTRATIONS

Figure 4: The developing scheme of SU resistant inbred female lines and hybrids in sunflower

In the breeding program, while selection was performed based on phenotype as seed type and
plant appearance with higher oil content in earlier generations, but selection was based on general
and special combining ability of inbred lines crossing with one tester line with producing test
hybrids in later generations (Figure 1,2,3,4). Many sunflower IMI hybrids developed and tested in
regional trials in recent years and sunflower hybrids exhibited higher yield performance was
selected. One sunflower IMI hybrids was sent registration trials firstly by TARI in 2012.
On the other hand, many genetically broomrape resistant sunflower hybrids were developed
by TARI and sent to registration trials in last 3 years. Therefore, SU herbicide resistance should
combine with broomrape resistance gene complying in same hybrids and TARI program focused
mainly this goal in SU resistance and SU and broomrape resistant hybrids will be developed and
will send to registration trials in a couple years. Similarly, developing IMI and broomrape resistant
hybrids also in the progress and will end in near future too. However, ideal one in sunflower
breeding program is complying both IMI, SU and broomrape resistance together so farmers decide
unlimitedly which herbicide will use depending on weed composition in their fields. SU herbicides
are cheaper than IMI herbicides generally so it will reduce production cost. On the other hand,
combining IMI and broomrape resistance will supply a better weed control in production, because
to have an efficient broomrape control until flowering stage, IMI herbicide should apply at least 6-8
leaves stage to get enough dose from plant leaves during herbicide spraying. This late application
results sometimes lack of appropriate weed control especially in more weed problem fields.
Additionally, BASF developed a new IMI resistant gene source (CLHA-Plus) enabling more
efficient and better weed control through the use of IMI herbicide applications. This new AHASL1
gene generated by mutation in CLHA-Plus is different from current one but both these genes are
allelic variants of the locus AHASL1 (Sala et al., 2008). However it is still in progress and IMI
resistant hybrids consisting this new IMI gene are not yet in the world market.
CONCLUSIONS
The banning of Imazapyr by EU will result not efficient broomrape and weed control like
before in Turkey because registered IMI herbicide consist Imazamox plus Imazapyr as 33+15 g/l.
Therefore, it should be focus also to develop better combination of sub IMI herbicide groups in the
future. As results, especially herbicide resistance continue successfully currently in sunflower and it
will continue until to get IMI or SU herbicide resistance in weeds and broomrape. However, the
combination of IMI and SU resistance should develop immediately for better weed and broomrape
control in sunflower production. Due to higher variability both broomrape and also IMI and SU
group, MAS selection also should be performed utilizing from reproducible molecular markers both
for broomrape and herbicide combining of vertical and horizontal resistance in the future studies.
LITERATURE
Al-Khatib K, Miller JF. 2000. Registration of four genetic stocks of sunflower resistant to
imidazolinone herbicides. Crop Science 40: 869870.
Bruniard J. M. Miller J.F. 2001. Inheritance of imidazolinone herbicide resistance in sunflower.
Helia. 24 (35): 11-16.
Kaya, Y., G. Evci, M. Demirci. 2004. Broomrape (Orobanche cernua Loeffl.) and Herbicide
Resistance Breeding in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Turkey. Helia. 27: 40. 199-210.
Malidza, G., S. Jocic, D. Skoric. 2003. Weed and broomrape (O. cernua) control in Clearfield in
Sunflower. Proc. European Weed Research Society 7th Mediterranean Symp. 6-9 May. Cukurova
Univ., Adana, Turkey. 51-52.
Miller JF, Al-Khatib K. 2004. Registration of two oilseed sunflower genetic stocks, SURES-1 and
SURES-2, resistant to Tribenuron herbicide. Crop Science. 44: 10371038.
Sala, C. A., M. Bulos, A. M. Echarte. 2008. Genetic Analysis of an Induced Mutation Conferring
Imidazolinone Resistance in Sunflower. Crop Science. 48: 1817-1822.